My daughter Jordan convinced me to try the Couch to 5K group. It was really cold to start and painful.

My left calf felt like a rope was tied around it and every tiny hill, even the little hump at the tennis courts at Dorton Park, seemed like I was limping up a mountain. My per mile pace was over 18 minutes per mile.

But every one in the group was encouraging including the coaches and the post run stretches felt good, especially my corpse pose that I finish up with. Sorry for scaring everyone. More than one person asked “Is he okay?” I just like to relax and melt into the concrete as I cool down.

My medical numbers were not good when I started. My A1C was borderline diabetic, my blood pressure was barely in control and my cholesterol was high (my good cholesterol was too low). I started the Couch to 5K on Jan. 29. My doctor’s appointment was Feb. 2.

I told Dr. Revis that I had signed up. She is a runner and hiker. “Oh you know that’s a gateway drug to a half marathon,” was her response.

I’m having a lot of fun with this. My calf doesn’t hurt now and I am trying to get faster. But I did strain my hamstring sprinting to the finish line once. Stretching, essential oils and a couple of ibuprofen tablets seem to have taken care of that pain. So far I have lost 18 pounds. I still have a long way to go.

We completed the Couch to 5K, then on the 5K to 10K, and now back to the Couch to 5K.

So far here are my results:

Harrisburg 5K April 14

46:03, 10th out of 12 in 55-59 age group, 14:49 per mile

Jiggy with the Piggy 5K May 1 in Kannapolis

44:18 3rd out of 3 in 55-59 age group, 14:15 per mile

Shirley’s Angels Love Your Headlights 10K May 12 in Huntersville

1:30.11 2nd out of two in 55-59 age group, 14:51 per mile

Find Your Fit 5K June 2 at Frank Liske Park

42:10 first out of 1 in 55-59 age group, 13:34 per mile

You can’t win if you don’t enter.

Slow and steady and persevere.